Start up information for 2013

Start up information for 2013

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Happy New Year and I trust that you had a really enjoyable time over the break with family. This is our first global email to families for 2013, prior to the school academic year commencing. This week, seniors are confirming courses for 2013. Prefect leadership training is also underway and it will be completed today. Our student leaders are excited about being more visible to students through the reframed House system.
A STRONG START TO 2013
Last year we reframed many aspects of school management to better support the Board’s strategic aims of the school. We also raised expectations related to student attendance, teaching and academic monitoring and identified where we can increase staffing support in 2013 for students who really need it.
This year every student has been assigned to a new House and will remain there throughout her remaining years at Westlake Girls. Throughout their five years with us, each Westlake girl will develop a stronger sense of self while growing in resilience, confidence and gratitude.
Our aims are focused and progressive at WGHS. We want all students to aim for personal excellence in every endeavour and we will support them as they develop resilience. Our House system will enable staff to nurture and encourage students to develop academic and moral strength and to become bold, resourceful and well-balanced individuals. Staff remain committed to:

  *   encouraging students to strive for the highest standards in every endeavour
  *   providing an education which motivates, challenges, encourages, includes and inspires
  *   students growing in experience, wisdom, confidence and understanding
  *   students showing generosity towards others
  *   students caring for the world and our learning environment.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT WEEK
Tuesday 29th January
Years 10 – 13 only are in (as new entrants into year 9 not expected at school)
Y10 expected to be in at 9am (at the covered courts) until about 11.30am
Y11 in at 9am (in the hall) until about 11.30am
Y12 in at 9am (in Gym 3) until about 11.30am
Y13 in at 9am (in Gym 1) until about 11.30am

Wednesday 30th January – Orientation for New Entrants
Years 10, 11 and 12 are not expected to be at school as it is set aside for new entrant orientation.
Year 9 arrive and go straight to the hall at 9am. Y13 school leaders will be involved 9am – 3pm. It is advisable that Year 9 students bring their lunch as the canteen only has very limited options until Thursday 31st January.
Thursday 31st January
All students attend 8.45am – 3.15pm and classes commence. Timetable Day 2.


Friday, 1 February
Second day of timetabled classes 8.45am – 3.15pm. Timetable Day 3.

SCHOOL CANTEEN REFURBISHMENT
The canteen has been fully refurbished in the holidays and is currently closed. A full food service will not resume until next Thursday 31st January. It reopens next week with limited options available next Wednesday 30th, so it is best that students bring their own lunches.

WAIRAU ROAD /NILE ROAD/ FORREST HILL ROAD INTERSECTION UPGRADE
The upgrade for this intersection will take most of 2013 to complete. Consequently, there will be restricted traffic flows all year in this area and Auckland Council are advising motorists to use alternative routes where possible.
Currently there is only one lane for traffic driving each way through the intersection and there are significant delays, especially at peak times.
From about 28th January 2013, a second lane will be opened for traffic heading to Wairau Valley and this should reduce some congestion outside WGHS. The full flow of two lanes each way is not expected to be restored until the end of Term 1.
Parents and students are encouraged to use the pedestrian crossing down by the entrance to the school.  Secondly, a reminder to parents that due to the on-going road works, you should expect delays through the intersection and, therefore, it would be wise to avoid using it if possible. Feel free to visit our website where suggested detours are illustrated.
HOUSE ASSEMBLIES
As the first week is short there are no House assemblies scheduled, however students can look forward to these commencing in Week 2.

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
A whole school assembly will be held on the covered courts during Week 2. This is our opportunity to commission Prefects and welcome New Entrants. It will probably be held on Tuesday 5th February, at the start of the day, to be confirmed soon. Parents are welcome.

WAITANGI DAY
Wednesday 5 February is Waitangi Day and school is closed.

NZQA RESULTS 2012
A full outline of 2012 results will be circulated to all parents soon. We are collecting data as NZQA releases information.

Warm regards
Roz Mexted
PRINCIPAL
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